The Rails

The Rails
James Walbourne and Kami Thompson of The Rails at Copredy Festival 2012
Background information
Genres	Folk rock
Years active	2013–present
Labels	Island Records
Associated acts	Richard Thompson Linda Thompson Teddy Thompson Eliza Carthy Edwyn Collins
Website	www.therailsofficial.com
Members	Kami Thompson, James Walbourne

The Rails is a folk rock band from London, England, composed of husband and wife James Walbourne and Kami Thompson. Thompson and Walbourne first met during the recording sessions for Versatile Heart by Thompson's mother Linda Thompson in 2007. The band signed to Island Records in January 2014 and released their debut album on 5 May 2014 on the label's Pink Label imprint, the first band to do so since the 1970s.

Kami Thompson is the daughter of British folk rock singers Richard Thompson and Linda Thompson and her brother is the alternative rock musician Teddy Thompson. Kami Thompson had been in her mother's band as a backing singer and had worked with Sean Lennon and Bonnie "Prince" Billy before issuing solo album Love Lies in 2001.

James Walbourne is from Muswell Hill in London and has been in various bands, including Peter Bruntnell's band, the Pernice Brothers, Son Volt and The Pretenders, before releasing solo album The Hill in 2010. He has also been a touring member of Ray Davies's band and has played with Uncle Tupelo, Edwyn Collins and The Pogues.

Linda Thompson was recording her solo album Versatile Heart in 1997 which featured Kami Thompson alongside Teddy Thompson. Walbourne appeared on the album after being recommended by the author Nick Hornby and first met Kami Thompson at the session, but the relationship was not developed any further at this time.